Headlamp: Description and Operation

How the Circuit Works ('02-'04 Models USA)

WARNING: A transient high tension (25,000 V) occurs at the bulb sockets of the high intensity discharge (HID) lamps when the combination light switch is turned ON. It may cause serious electrical shock or electrocution if you do not observe the cautions below.

CAUTION

- Never turn on the combination light switch before fitting the HID bulbs to their bulb sockets and completing the reassembly of the headlight assembly.
- Do not service the headlight assembly in wet conditions, such as rain or snow, near a sprinkler system, or when your hands are wet to prevent electrocution.
- Do not touch the surface of the HID bulbs with your bare hands and do not stain it with any oils.
- Do not disassemble the inverter unit and the igniter unit.
- Do not turn on the HID bulb by using a power source other than the battery mounted on the vehicle.

Low Beams

The headlight low beam and high beam relays receive battery voltage at all times. When you turn the headlight switch to the HEAD position with the dimmer switch in LOW, ground is applied through the RED/BLU wires to the low beam relay coil (through the headlight diode) and the high beam relay coil. The relays are then energized, applying battery voltage to the left and right low and high beam headlights through fuses 52, 49 and 39, 38 respectively. The low beam bulbs come on because they are individually grounded by G302 and G202. The high beams and high beam indicator remain off because their ground path is interrupted by the deenergized dimmer relay.

High Beams

When you pull the dimmer switch to HIGH with the low beams already on, ground is applied to the dimmer relay from the dimmer switch. This energizes the dimmer relay, applying ground to the high beam bulbs and high beam indicator, which turns on the high beams and indicator light.

Flash-to-Pass

When you hold the flash-to-pass switch in the FLASH position, ground is applied through the RED/BLU wires to the low beam relay coil (through the headlight diode), the high beam relay coil and the dimmer relay coil. This energizes the headlight low beam, high beam, and dimmer relays, applying battery voltage to the low and high beam bulbs. As the high beam bulbs receive battery voltage, the dimmer relay is energized, applying ground to the high beam bulbs and high beam indicator, which turns on the high beams and indicator light.